Chapter 42

At the unexpected remark, the Emperor raised one eyebrow. It was not a negative reaction.

Nikan continued in a cautious but strong voice.

“Duke Eseled, let alone having a successor, is still single. If there is an unexpected situation in Eseled, there will be a vacancy in the successor position, a storm in politics.”

The Duchy is a large group, so it is inevitable that there are many blood relatives and vassals.

Without a successor, if the head of the family died, a war could be waged over who would get the largest slice of pie.

That wasn’t the only problem.

The people of the Empire considered the four Dukes, the founding contributors and families consisted of powerful wizards, to be a national power.

That was also a truth.

Thus, the emergence of a great problem with a Duke would be regarded as a national hardship.

If there was a problem with a Duke, great confusion would spread.

Confusion was usually an opportunity.

If the current Duke of Eseled died without dealing with the succession issue, the Emperor may appoint the person he wanted as the successor in the name of quelling the confusion.

The desire to increase power was like a chimney, but it was a problem right now.

It had only been eight years since the death of Duke Eiles.

The nobles were sensitive to the disappearances of their families, and if Eseled were to be questioned, suspicions of tyranny would rise to the surface.

This work was very cleverly intertwined.

‘If Duke Eseled dies at a time like this, the first arrow of doubt will fly to me.’

The Emperor shook his head.

“That makes sense.”

Nikan continued smoothly because he was sure the Emperor would listen to him.

“Why don’t Your Majesty help us prevent a confusion?”

The Emperor smiled cheerfully.

“How can I help you?”

Nikan went straight to the point.

“As Your Majesty knows, I am the only Duke who has two daughters. In addition, Vivian is very healthy because of Count Wayne here.”

Emperor Yulrich recalled the foster daughter Nikan had taken in.

Wasn’t she the child who would become Ares’ fiancée if nothing big happened?

“There were talks of marriage between the Imperial family and Agnes. Now that my own daughter is cured, the marriage will be arranged.”

Nikan made a suggestion with a look of calmness in his eyes.

“My foster daughter, why don’t we send her as the successor?”

“Hm…”

The Emperor touched his chin without answering.

It looked like he was calculating the profit he would get if that were to happen.

Nikan added an explanation.

“It’s a great opportunity to unite Emperor Duffman, Agnes, and Eseled.”

Edward, who had been staying still, also added an explanation.

“There is a precedent for adopting a child from the same family of a Count and setting him up as the heir.”

“That’s an interesting story. It can stabilize the situation in many ways, and it’s a good suggestion.”

It wasn’t a bad story.

Only, if it’s a matter that can be decided immediately, it’s also ambiguous.

However, it was a moment of silent consideration because it was a request rather than a prize.

The chief of staff intercepted politely.

“Your Majesty, the Empress is waiting outside. What should I do?”

Nikan snorted inside.

Instinctively feeling that there was something to eat, she ran straight to the Emperor’s palace.

‘She’s a woman with an amazing instinct.’

Diana entered gracefully, radiating her own bright light, just like a chandelier.

“I greet Her Majesty, the Emperess.”

The Empress approached the Emperor and asked anxiously,

“Everyone raise. I hope the new one didn’t interfere the discussion of important matters?”

Emperor Yulrich greeted the Empress with a soft smile.

“How could that be? You came at a good time. I have some very good news.”

He told the Empress that a cure for the mana reflux disease had been found.

“It is thanks to Your Majesty that your subject is competent. I am more than happy that such a good thing has been achieved in your reign.”

Diana showed her cuteness like a mistress without her Empress-like dignity. However, no one could underestimate such an Empress.

For she became a pathetic and alluring flower only in front of the Emperor.

The Emperor still loved his beautiful and lovely wife as much as he did when he was Crown Prince.

The Empress acted like a sexy mistress, but sometimes also as a quiet and wise wife.

The Emperor once had a concubine for a bit, but quickly returned to the Empress because of her charm.

He was so disinterested in the concubines that they went missing every time.

It was all speculative.

The Emperor continued.

“Duke Agnes suggested sending his eldest daughter for Duke Eseled to adopt.”

“Ahh…”

Diana was still smiling like a flower, but her eyes turned into those of a brutal politician.

‘Put your foster daughter in Eseled? Huhu, you must know what you’re drawing.’

The Empress looked at Nikan with pure admiration when she realized that he was plotting to swallow Eseled.

“It’s a great offer for Your Majesty to send a political gesture to get along while penetrating the doors of the isolated Duke Eseled.”

Duke Eseled had passed the marriageable age stipulated in the aristocratic community.

Meddling in by sending a child whose identity was guaranteed by the Imperial family as his successor was a pleasing situation.

“Duke Agnes’ sharp view and great power always surprises this intruder.”

Nikan bowed slightly with a small smile.

“I’m flattered.”

The Empress and Nikan were smiling at each other, but there were already a lot of calculations going on inside.

‘Let’s see who swallows Eseled.’

The Empress grinned.

“Shall we take out time while we eat? Fresh deer meat came in today.”

“Let us all go to the dining room. It’s a happy day, so I’ll have the chefs put more care in their cooking.”

They soon moved to the dining room.

***

The atmosphere during the meal was peaceful.

Each of them wore a mask full of smiles and treated each other mildly, which was forced.

In that atmosphere, Edward was alone in silence, showing no presence.

He wasn’t interested in the ridiculous hegemonic fight. Instead, it was only Navia’s next move that filled his head.

‘How the hell are you planning to get out of the Duchy? Also, who do you plan to take advantage of in this game?’

It was all drawn by Navia to have them all search and check each other’s interests.

Without knowing it, they’re all puppets.

Swaaa-!

At that time, the sound of heavy rain filled Edward’s ears.

“It’s raining a lot. It must be dangerous to drive a carriage now.”

With the Empress’ murmur, Edward’s eyes grew bigger and bigger.

‘Did you know about the weather?’

Of course, the sky had been in a glow since early this morning. But the rain could have fallen hours later.

But maybe it meant that Navia was so confident that she wouldn’t stall for time in her room and send Nikan away?

‘Is this the courage of an eight-year-old…?’

When young, recklessness and the ability to pursue are quite different.

Edward thought this was determination.

Nikan wrinkled his forehead.

“We’ll have to wait until the rain thins out.”

They spent time enjoying tea, waiting for the rain to thin out.

It was well after three hours of staying at the palace.

“Duke, it stopped raining but it has started snowing, but I think it is a good idea to go back before the road freezes.”

Nikan spoke in content at the chief of staff’s words.

“Snow in November? It’s not a big deal. Call the carriage right away.”

The Emperor spoke as he saw Nikan off.

“I’ll see you soon with another piece of good news.”

It was about Vivian and Ares’ engagement.

“I look forward to that day, Your Majesty.”

Nikan climbed into a ready carriage. It was with Edward again this time.

They were going to return to the Duchy together because Edward was invited to dinner.

“Thank you for accepting my invitation, Count Wayne.”

“I haven’t been awarded the title yet. Please speak comfortably with me.”

“Haha. How could I do that? Your title has already been decided.”

Nikan was very fond of Edward. The fact that he was a bookkeeper, a rare talent in Agnes, made him an even more attractive talent.

“Today was really the best day ever.”

Nikan looked out the window, muttering like a beast after feasting.

“Ahh, stop for a moment. I have to buy a present for my daughter.”

On his way back home, he stopped by a store and bought flowers and dolls.

As if he had already won, he was so relaxed that anyone could easily guess that something good happened.

The sense of anger and fatigue accumulated by the series of recent incidents had been wiped away.

‘Now that we’ve decided to send Navia to Eseled, if the Emperor is quick, he would immediately descend to the Holy Land tomorrow.’

And if he married his son to Navia, Eseled’s power would be his.